
17α-Hydroxyprogesterone
17α-Hydroxyprogesterone, or hydroxyprogesterone, is an endogenous progestogen steroid hormone related to progesterone. It is also a chemical intermediate in the biosynthesis of many other endogenous steroids, including androgens, estrogens, glucoc…
What is hydroxyprogesterone used for?
Hydroxyprogesterone is a progestin that acts like the natural sex hormone progesterone. The progesterone levels in your body help regulate the lining of your uterus. By helping to balance your natural progesterone levels, hydroxyprogesterone regulates menstrual periods.
How do I take hydroxyprogesterone during pregnancy?
Hydroxyprogesterone is injected under the skin or into a muscle. A healthcare provider will give you this injection. The first hydroxyprogesterone injection is usually given during the second trimester of pregnancy. The usual dosing schedule is one injection per week until the 37th week or until your baby is born. Follow your doctor's instructions.
What are the side effects of hydroxyprogesterone?
Hydroxyprogesterone is an injectible medication that needs to be adminsistered into the muscles by trained hands only. The common side effects associated with Hydroxyprogesterone are swelling, itching, nausea, tiredness, dizziness, fever, skin eruptions and pain at the site of injection.
What are the contraindications for hydroxyprogesterone?
Hydroxyprogesterone must be used with caution in patients with asthma, seizure disorders, migraine, cardiac or renal impairment, history of mental depression. Use of any progestin during the first 4 months of pregnancy is not recommended.

Is hydroxyprogesterone safe in pregnancy?
Hydroxyprogesterone is used to lower the risk of premature birth in a woman who has already had one premature baby. Hydroxyprogesterone will not stop premature labor that has already begun. Hydroxyprogesterone is not for use in women who are pregnant with more than one baby (twins, triplets, etc).
When should I stop taking hydroxyprogesterone during pregnancy?
You will begin receiving this medicine between 16 weeks and 0 days of your pregnancy, and 20 weeks and 6 days of your pregnancy. You will continue to receive this medicine once a week until week 37 (through 36 weeks, 6 days of your pregnancy) of your pregnancy or until you give birth.
Which injection is used to prevent miscarriage?
Progesterone injections are often prescribed for pregnant women who've experienced a miscarriage or multiple miscarriages.
Which injection is used for pregnancy?
Oxytocin injection is used to begin or improve contractions during labor. Oxytocin also is used to reduce bleeding after childbirth. It also may be used along with other medications or procedures to end a pregnancy. Oxytocin is in a class of medications called oxytocic hormones.
Does progesterone affect the baby?
Epidemiological evidence based on male neonatal examination suggests that progesterone supplementation in women in early pregnancy is safe. There does not seem to be an increase in congenital abnormalities in male offspring born to women after progesterone supplementation.
When should I start taking progesterone to prevent miscarriage?
Women who have had miscarriages and bleeding in the first trimester may find help preventing subsequent miscarriages in new research on the use of the hormone progesterone to prevent pregnancy loss during the first twelve weeks (the most common time for a miscarriage to occur).
Why do doctors prescribe progesterone in early pregnancy?
Progesterone is a hormone that helps the uterus grow during pregnancy and keeps it from contracting. Treatment with progesterone during pregnancy may help some people reduce their risk for premature birth. If you have a short cervix, treatment with vaginal progesterone gel may help prevent premature birth.
Why do doctors suggest HCG injections during pregnancy?
HCG is used in combination with other fertility drugs to increase a woman's chance of pregnancy. In men or adolescent boys, HCG helps the production of testosterone and sperm. HCG is also used in male children with cryptorchidism, a specific birth problem of the testes.
Does folic acid prevent miscarriage?
"Not only does taking folic acid before conception prevent the devastating form of birth defects known as neural tube defects, but it also appears to lower the risk of early miscarriage."
Did progesterone save your pregnancy?
Giving progesterone supplements to these women was based on the idea that their progesterone levels were too low to support a pregnancy, which could therefore contribute to a miscarriage. However, a recent study of progesterone supplements found that they did not result in improved pregnancy outcomes.
How many injections should a pregnant woman get?
CDC recommends that pregnant women get two vaccines during every pregnancy: the inactivated flu vaccine (the injection, not the live nasal flu vaccine) and the Tdap vaccine.
Does progesterone delay miscarriage bleeding?
No harmful affect were seen from use of progesterone and for those that did miscarry, progesterone did not delay the miscarriage process. The study also meant that the same group of researchers focused on further studies including possible benefits of progesterone treatments in women with bleeding in early pregnancy.
Does hydroxyprogesterone affect the baby?
Currently, there is no evidence that using hydroxyprogesterone raises the risk of birth defects as long as you are more than 16 weeks pregnant.
Can hydroxyprogesterone stop early labor once it starts?
No. Hydroxyprogesterone is only FDA-approved to prevent labor from starting. Once labor starts, you will need different medications to try to delay...
What is the difference between hydroxyprogesterone and progesterone?
Progesterone is the natural sex hormone our bodies make. Hydroxyprogesterone is a synthetic, or laboratory-made, form of progesterone. Once it's in...
What is the difference between brand-name Makena and hydroxyprogesterone caproate?
The brand Makena contains the same active ingredient, hydroxyprogesterone caproate, as the generic form of the medication. Both the brand and gener...
Is the FDA going to withdraw Makena from the market?
In October 2020, the FDA proposed withdrawal of the brand Makena, because the required clinical studies after FDA approval couldn't show that the m...
When is hydroxyprogesterone given?
A healthcare provider will give you this injection. The first hydroxyprogesterone injection is usually given during the second trimester of pregnancy. The usual dosing schedule is one injection per week until the 37th week or until your baby is born.
What is the purpose of hydroxyprogesterone?
Hydroxyprogesterone is used to lower the risk of premature birth in a woman who has already had one premature baby. Hydroxyprogesterone will not stop premature labor that has already begun.
What are the side effects of hydroprogesterone?
Hydroxyprogesterone side effects. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, itching; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. swelling, oozing, bleeding, or worsening pain where the injection was given;
Can you take hydroxyprogesterone if you have high blood pressure?
You should not use hydroxyprogesterone injection if you have: uncontrolled high blood pressure, unusual vaginal bleeding, liver disease or liver cancer, jaundice caused by your pregnancy, or if you have ever had circulation problems, a stroke or blood clot, or cancer of the breast, uterus/cervix, or vagina.
Does hydroxyprogesterone stop premature labor?
Hydroxyprogesterone will not stop premature labor that has already begun. Hydroxyprogesterone is not for use in women who are pregnant with more than one baby (twins, triplets, etc). Hydroxyprogesterone may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What are the side effects of hydroprogesterone?
asthma or depression. Epilepsy or any other kind of seizures. Hormone-sensitive cancers. The common side effects associated with Hydroxyprogesterone are swelling, itching, nausea, tiredness, dizziness, fever, skin eruptions and pain at the site of injection.
What is the name of the medication that is given to pregnant women?
Hydroxyprogesterone is a synthetic prescription medication given to pregnant women. It prevents the chances of an early delivery. This injection is given to women after the first trimester. This is a hormone medication that belongs to a category of drugs known as progestin.
Can pregnant women take hydroxyprogesterone?
Ans: Hydroxyprogesterone is not recommended for use by pregnant women unless absolutely necessary and the benefits outweigh the risks associated with use. You should consult with your doctor before taking any.
What is 17-hydroxyprogesterone?
What is a 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) test? This test measures the amount of 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) in the blood. 17-OHP is a hormone made by the adrenal glands, two glands located on top of the kidneys. The adrenal glands make several hormones, including cortisol. Cortisol is important for maintaining blood pressure, blood sugar, ...
What to do if your child has CAH?
If you or your child has been diagnosed with CAH, you may want to consult with a genetic counselor, a specially trained professional in genetics. CAH is genetic disorder in which both parents must have the genetic mutation that causes CAH.
Uses for HYDROXYprogesterone
Reduction of risk of preterm birth in women with a singleton pregnancy having a history of singleton spontaneous preterm birth (designated an orphan drug by FDA for this use).
HYDROXYprogesterone Dosage and Administration
Prior to commercial availability, another formulation containing the active ingredient was available to patients from pharmacists who compounded the injection.
Cautions for HYDROXYprogesterone
Current thrombosis or thromboembolic disorders or history of these conditions. (See Thromboembolic Disorders under Cautions.)
HYDROXYprogesterone Pharmacokinetics
Pharmacokinetics of the 250-mg dose of hydroxyprogesterone caproate not evaluated.
Actions
Synthetic progestin; produced by esterification of 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, a naturally occurring metabolite of progesterone, with caproic acid.
Advice to Patients
Importance of patients reading the manufacturer’s patient information prior to initiation of therapy.
Preparations
Excipients in commercially available drug preparations may have clinically important effects in some individuals; consult specific product labeling for details.
What is hydroxyprogesterone?
Hydroxyprogesterone is a form of progestin, a manmade form of a female hormone called progesterone.
What are the possible side effects of hydroxyprogesterone?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, itching; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
What is the most important information I should know about hydroxyprogesterone?
You should not use this medicine if you have: uncontrolled high blood pressure, unusual vaginal bleeding, liver disease or liver cancer, jaundice caused by your pregnancy, or if you have ever had circulation problems, a stroke or blood clot, or cancer of the breast, uterus/cervix, or vagina.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving hydroxyprogesterone?
You should not be treated with this medicine if you are allergic to hydroxyprogesterone or castor oil, or if you have:
What happens if I miss a dose?
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your hydroxyprogesterone injection.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while receiving hydroxyprogesterone?
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.
Why the 17-Hydroxyprogesterone Test Is Performed
Doctors recommend the 17-OH progesterone test for all babies to rule out the possibility of them having congenital adrenal hyperplasia. If adults develop other symptoms of the disease, the 17-Hydroxyprogesterone test is performed to diagnose the problem.
What to Expect During a 17-OH Progesterone Test
Typically, there's no special preparation for the test. Your doctor may tell you not to eat and drink for a few hours before the test. If you take any medications, talk to your doctor. They may ask you to stop taking those, since some medicines can affect test results.
What is 17-Hydroxyprogesterone?
A precursor to the steroid hormone cortisol, 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) is derived from cholesterol in the adrenal glands. The production of cortisol is important for the digestion of proteins, fats, and sugars, and plays an important role in the regulation of blood pressure and the immune system [ 1 ].
17-Hydroxyprogesterone and Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
Normal adrenal gland function converts cholesterol into cortisol through various chemical reactions through the use of many enzymes. The lack of a particular enzyme in this formation pathway will result in the buildup of precursor materials that are unable to be converted into the next product.
Testing for Increased 17-Hydroxyprogesterone Levels
In the United States and several other countries, checking 17-OHP levels is part of routine newborn screening. Screening may additionally be ordered in infants or children if symptoms of the salt-wasting or simply virilizing forms of CAH are present. Testing 17-OHP levels in adulthood can be performed if symptoms of non-classic CAH are observed.
What is the hormone 17-hydroxyprogesterone?
What It Is. The hormone 17-hydroxyprogesterone is a building block for producing the hormone cortisol. Cortisol is produced mainly by the adrenal cortex (the outer part of the two adrenal glands, located above the kidneys). Cortisol is called the "stress hormone" because it's secreted in larger amounts as part of the body's response ...
Why is 17-hydroxyprogesterone high in boys?
They'll have a buildup of 17-hydroxyprogesterone in the blood because it's not being converted to cortisol. In kids, the most common cause of cortisol deficiency, and consequently high levels of 17-hydroxyprogesterone, is one of the forms of the genetic disorder congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). CAH can affect both boys and girls.
What hormone test is done for adrenal glands?
Kids with any of these symptoms would likely have a 17-hydroxyprogesterone test done, along with other hormone tests to check adrenal function.
Can you wear a shirt for a 17-hydroxyprogesterone test?
On the day of the test, having your child wear a T-shirt or short-sleeved shirt can make things easier for your child and the technician who will be drawing the blood.
